Primeval Forest Trail Bärendonk-Grasheide – Mariendonk Abbey loop from Grefrath

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Regierungsbezirk Düsseldorf

Viersen

Grefrath

Primeval Forest Trail Bärendonk-Grasheide – Mariendonk Abbey loop from Grefrath

Moderate

3.6

(41)

145

hikers

Primeval Forest Trail Bärendonk-Grasheide – Mariendonk Abbey loop from Grefrath

03:06

12.3km

20m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Schwalm-Nette

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.83 km

Niers Canoe and SUP Launch

Highlight • Rest Area

Two piers that are well suited as a break for a tour to Wachtendonk. A toilet is usually available in the Langendonker Mühle in summer. Parking is difficult here.

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1.90 km

Boat Dock at Langendonker Mühle

Highlight • Rest Area

Here is one of many boat moorings on the Niers. A paddle tour on the Niers is highly recommended!

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1.97 km

Compatible coexistence of nature conservation and canoeing

Canoeists and cyclists meet at the bridge over the Niers. The national cycle routes "Niers-Radwanderweg" and "Niederrhein-
Route” cross here from Grefrath on their way to Kempen or Wachtendonk. The boat dock near the historic mill is a popular entry and exit point for tours on the water. There are numerous canoe rental companies on the Niers who bring the boats to the starting point and pick them up again downstream at the destination. The Niers is easy to navigate due to its low current of just over two kilometers per hour and a depth of about one meter. A trip is also possible for inexperienced canoeists without any problems.
The release of the river for canoeing was subject to conditions, as many adjacent areas are under nature protection. Entering
the shore areas outside the designated exit points is not permitted. There is a herb trap opposite the canoe jetty. This facility collects flotsam from the Niers. In addition to waste and branches, mowed aquatic plants in particular are fished out here.
The bottom of the water body must be mowed regularly from May to November so that vigorous plant growth does not impede the drainage of the water.
Text from: npsn.de/index/lang/de/artikel/1336

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4.00 km

Territorial Landwehr Niederfeld

Highlight • Natural

After a round to the Motte Horbes Bergske, a stop at the rest house "Zur Fluchtburg" can do no harm.

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4.32 km

Primeval Forest Trail Bärendonk-Grasheide

Highlight • Forest

Landwehr on the heather

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4.57 km

Grasheide Moor Trail

Highlight • Trail

A very wet area here

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5.33 km

Mariendonk Abbey

Highlight • Religious Site

A plot of land near Kempen was bought from the donor Johanna Stieger and a Benedictine monastery was built. In 1900, Prioress Mother Ursula Kleberg and 22 nuns moved in here. They earned their living by cultivating a small farm, embroidering and selling bread products.
In 1948 the monastery was elevated to the status of an abbey and was given the name Mariadonk.
Over time, the sisters became more concerned with theological issues. After a sister received her first doctorate, further training took place within the convent, as well as intensifying pastoral care and theological further training for guests in the form of lectures and Bible discussions.
At the moment there are 32 nuns in the convent.

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5.64 km

Historic Weir on the Niers

Highlight • Monument

The historic weir system was built when the predecessor of the Niersverband was founded in 1856. It should - together with various other measures - help to solve the problems of water backwater on the upper reaches of the Niers - caused by the embankments and artificial water dams for the operation of the many mills on the Niers and thus avoid the frequent flooding of agricultural land. With the construction of the weir, it became possible to discharge the water parallel to the Niers when the water levels were high, without the Neersdommer mill on the Niers lacking the water required for the mill operation. During dry periods, the weir was closed so that the mill could get enough water.

Milling operations ceased in 1927.

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12.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.87 km

3.55 km

2.74 km

1.13 km

Surfaces

8.82 km

1.88 km

855 m

424 m

178 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Saturday 10 October

15°C

7°C

46 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

March 5, 2025,Urwaldweg – Abtei Mariendonk Runde von Mülhausen

The tour was mostly on asphalt, but we were spoiled by the sun.

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December 26, 2021,Runde Fluchtburg - Bärendonk - Schleckbach

If you rest, you rust - so let's get out on Christmas Day! 🎄
I started at the refuge and wanted to do a tour to the right and left of the Niers.
Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out with the planned tour, because a locked gate blocked my way behind the Niershof house 😏 (and I didn't just want …

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